Chapter 167: Chapter 167: Tang Yuxiu and Nie Rong
If they had done anything wrong, it was only locking Gu Yan in the music room that day and planning to keep her there overnight.
But Gu Yan came to work as usual the next day, as if nothing had happened.
Did the general manager find out about this, and that’s why they were fired?
If that’s the case, what about her? Would the general manager also know that she saw them doing it that day but did not stop them, and even sent Wang Qi away?
Thinking this, Lin Fei couldn’t help but feel a wave of panic.
Although she didn’t like the many dazzlingly dressed people in the department or Gu Yan who got in through connections, she had never done anything against her conscience. Gu Yan’s matter was the first time she had gone against her conscience like that.
Afterwards, she always felt regretful and guilty.
Not seeing Xue Xianglan for more than half a month, she had become even more striking and dazzling. Her long hair was dyed into large ash-colored curls, casually draped down, adding even more allure than before.
Even as she sat there silently, she was radiantly mesmerizing.
"Xianglan." She called softly, sitting down opposite Xue Xianglan, "You’re getting more and more beautiful. It seems life abroad has been good."
Xue Xianglan was initially looking down at her phone. Hearing Gu Yan’s voice, she lifted her head and smiled smugly, "There are too many handsome guys abroad, my hormones are working overtime, and even my complexion has improved a lot."
"Haha." Gu Yan laughed loudly, "Why didn’t you bring one back?"
"I’m still young and have plenty of time to enjoy life. How could I bind myself to just one person so easily?" Xue Xianglan laughed and then said, "Enough about me, tell me about yourself, how have you been recently?"
Gu Yan shrugged indifferently, "I’m alright."
"Really?" Xue Xianglan looked at her suspiciously, "You don’t look well to me, I can tell with one glance, Yanyan, be honest, did something happen?"
Gu Yan blinked, looking into her eyes, "Nothing happened."
"Are you sure that’s the truth?"
"Of course it is." Gu Yan nodded seriously, "Don’t overthink it, I really have nothing going on."
If it were someone else who saw Gu Yan like this, they might easily believe her words, but in front of her was Xue Xianglan.
"Yanyan, you know, when you lie, you often appear more credible than when you tell the truth. Others might believe what you say, but I can see through it."
Gu Yan’s expression paused slightly, she pursed her lips and said nothing more.
One could say that Xue Xianglan is the person who knows her best in this world.
In front of her, she really couldn’t pretend, and Xue Xianglan didn’t wish for her to pretend either, but she didn’t want to reveal her vulnerability.
Xue Xianglan understood this, so many times, she wouldn’t express it plainly.
This time, she felt that what happened to Gu Yan was not simple, she was anxious and had no solution.
"Yanyan, we’ve known each other for seven years, what could you possibly not tell me?"
Xue Xianglan often feels heartache for her, hoping she wouldn’t carry everything on her own, wouldn’t worry about burdening her, and when she has the ability to help her share the burden, could she find her for help immediately.
She disliked being completely unaware when something happens to a good friend, or becoming the last to know when trying to help recover from the crisis.
Gu Yan lowered her eyes softly, staring at the transparent glass in front of her, and said in a low voice, "Xianglan, I know you care about me, but right now I really have nothing going on, everything is fine, it’s just that I have not quite recovered from being sick yesterday."
She looked up at her, "Really, this time I’m telling the truth."
Gu’s father’s matter has already been resolved, for her, there’s indeed nothing more important or harder to resolve.
Xue Xianglan looked at her face for a long time before confirming the credibility, then nodded, "Alright, since it’s over, I won’t ask more. If there’s anything next time, make sure to inform me immediately."
She hesitated and seemed to think this was phrased poorly, knitted her brows, "Look at my jinxed mouth, let’s hope there’s no next time." Hoping Gu Yan would never encounter any problems in her life.
Gu Yan chuckled softly, feeling warmth in her heart.
The server brought up the dishes, and they exchanged a few words from time to time, the atmosphere harmonious, and Gu Yan’s suppressed emotions also improved a lot.
"Oh, right, I recently met a new colleague, getting along well, I think her personality should get along with yours." Gu Yan said.
"Really? If you think so, she’s probably quite nice, let’s meet her sometime."
"I have that in mind."
"Speaking of which, how’s work?"
"Quite good, as you know, for me, nothing beats the happiness and surprise of getting closer to playing the piano, it brings me great joy."
Even if there’s occasional unhappiness, immersing in the world of the piano makes her forget all troubles.
"You really struck it lucky, getting such a good opportunity."
"That wouldn’t have been possible without your referral; otherwise, I wouldn’t have caught such a big break."
"That’s certainly due to your ability too."
Although Xue Xianglan had never heard Gu Yan play piano, she believed that Gu Yan played wonderfully, even better than professionals.
Gu Yan laughed lightly, "You give me too much credit."
As they continued their chat with laughter, a gentle voice came over, "Gu Yan?"
Both followed the direction of the voice, seeing Qin Junnan in a gray suit, with a kindly expression, walking toward them.
Gu Yan was surprised, "Senior."
Xue Xianglan also raised an eyebrow, "Qin Junnan?"
Only then did Qin Junnan notice Xue Xianglan across from Gu Yan and gave a polite smile, "Miss Xue."
"Miss Xue?" Xue Xianglan repeated meaningfully, and said with great interest, "You call our Yanyan by her full name, but you call me Miss Xue. Senior Qin, we’re both alumni, isn’t this favoritism a bit too obvious?"
Qin Junnan’s eyes paused, he smiled faintly and shifted the topic, "What a coincidence you’re here for dinner too."
"Yes, Senior Qin, do you want to join us?"
"It’s not convenient today, I’m here with friends and they’re still upstairs waiting for me," Qin Junnan said, "Why don’t you come up with me instead?"
Gu Yan shook her head to refuse, "No need, Senior, you go ahead."
Qin Junnan didn’t insist, nodded slightly, "Alright, this meal’s on me, enjoy."
"Hey, we appreciate Senior Qin’s kindness, but let’s skip this time. I’m specifically treating Yanyan after returning home; if you want to treat, do it next time when you’re out with Yanyan. You can’t steal this moment from me."
Hearing this, Qin Junnan glanced at Xue Xianglan and suddenly found this woman quite impressive.
From her words, she seemed to be urging Gu Yan to dine with him alone.
It’s said that in pursuing a girl, having good relations with her close friends is crucial; they can be great allies.
He smiled mildly, his smile less aloof, "Alright, I’ll treat next time."
Qin Junnan said his goodbyes to the two and left.
Xue Xianglan looked at Qin Junnan’s back for a while before turning back, "Yanyan, how did you get in touch?"
"It was once when I bumped into him on my way back after a meal with you."
"Hmm? Such fate, Jiang City is so big, yet you met on the same road."
Gu Yan smiled without saying anything.
Xue Xianglan propped her elbow on the table, gazing at her, "Yanyan, I think Qin Junnan seems pretty fond of you now. Did you see the way he looked at you, and that eagerness?"
"What?" Gu Yan was confused.
Xue Xianglan continued, "Didn’t you used to like him? So many years have passed, and he’s back now. If you want anything with him now, you absolutely have a chance."
Gu Yan shook her head faintly, "You said it yourself, that was in the past, I don’t like him anymore now."
"Hmm? Really no more feelings?"
Gu Yan’s mind flashed with a handsome face, she shook her head, "None at all."
Unconsciously, there were no more feelings left. What remained now, maybe, was just a simple connection as fellow alumni, or a bit of admiration and respect for an outstanding person from their youth.
"What a pity," Xue Xianglan sighed softly, "Qin Junnan is now a renowned young talent. Although the Qin Family is a wealthy family, getting along shouldn’t be an issue."
"That’s none of my business."
"Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore."
Xue Xianglan shifted the topic again and chatted with Gu Yan about other things.
The top floor of a high-end, luxurious western restaurant.
Tang Yuxiu and Nie Rong sat across from each other.
This meeting was arranged by Nie Rong with Tang Yuxiu. When she saw he came alone, she was relieved that annoying Gu Yan wasn’t with him this time.
Between the two, things were relatively quiet. Occasionally, Nie Rong would say a few words and Tang Yuxiu would respond briefly; otherwise, Tang Yuxiu had nothing to say.
Nie Rong didn’t mind Tang Yuxiu’s coldness; he was that kind of person, the same to everyone, even with Gu Yan, it’s not like he said much more.
After finishing their meal, Tang Yuxiu had to escort Nie Rong back out of courtesy.
Nie Rong looked at the door of the passenger seat of Tang Yuxiu’s Bugatti, thinking, if Gu Yan could sit there, so could she.
So she made her way to the passenger door.
However, before she could touch it, a cold voice from the other side stopped her, "Miss Nie, I think you know my rules."
Nie Rong’s hand paused, her smile froze slightly, but she quickly recovered, retracting her hand awkwardly, "Sorry, I forgot."
She spoke, giving Tang Yuxiu an embarrassed smile before moving to open the rear door.
Sitting in the car, Tang Yuxiu started the engine and the vehicle drove onto the road.
Nie Rong looked at the passenger seat, her hands on her lap clenched tightly.
Why could Gu Yan sit there, while she had to sit in the back every time!
A trace of unknown emotion flashed in Nie Rong’s eyes, growing increasingly sinister.
Sometime, she would sit in that seat, a woman like Gu Yan didn’t deserve it!
Tang Yuxiu stared straight ahead, not noticing the person in the backseat at all.
After finishing the meal with Xue Xianglan, Gu Yan declined Xue Xianglan’s offer to drive her back and headed to the bus stop alone.